Public Spaces Protection Order Dogs and Dog Control

The introduction of a city-wide Public Space Protection Order under the new powers will replaced the outdated legislation relating to dog fouling and dog control.

Background

Although, as an authority, we do recognise that the vast majority of dog owners are, responsible and respectful to their local community, complaints are regularly received from residents about dog fouling and the behaviour of some dogs. The prohibitions have been designed to be as simple as possible, giving clarity and outlining expectations.

The prohibitions:

In short the prohibitions include the following five key areas:

Dog fouling

If a dog defecates at any time on land to which this order applies, a person who is in charge of the dog at the time must remove the faeces from the land forthwith.

Leads must be worn

A person in charge of a dog is required to keep it on a lead within the following areas:
1. All cemeteries and churchyards, including green burial areas;
2. All footpaths around lakes and ponds;
3. All sports grounds, fields, parks, and pitches, which are maintained by the local authority and are not subject to ‘Dog Exclusion’, but only when in use for organised authorised events. These include galas, fairs, sporting matches, charitable events (e.g. race for life). Clear signage will be erected in these locations

Leads by order

A person in charge of a dog on land to which this order applies must comply with a direction given to him by an authorised officer of the Authority to put and keep the dog on a lead. An authorised officer may only give a direction under this order if such restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog that is likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other person, or to a bird or another animal.

Dog exclusion area

A person in charge of a dog must not take it into, or keep it within a specified or signed area. This includes fenced / enclosed children’s play area and where there is a sign at its entrance(s) as a “dog exclusion area” (whether the sign uses those particular words or words and/or symbols having like effect) which is designated and marked for children’s play. Clear signage will be erected in these locations

Means to pick up

A person in charge of a dog on land to which this order applies must have and produce on request the appropriate means to pick up dog faeces deposited by that dog. The obligation is complied with if, after a request from an authorised officer, the person in charge of the dog produces an appropriate means to pick up dog faeces.

What happens if the Public Space Protection Order is breached?

If the person in charge of a dog fails to comply with the requirements of the order, they will be committing a criminal offence and will be issued with £100 fixed penalty unless:-

  • they have the consent from the owner, occupier or person in charge of the land, not to comply with the order; 
  • they have a reasonable excuse for failing to comply; or 
  • they fall within one of the other exemptions within the order, such as the exemptions in the order for disabled people, assistance dogs and working dogs. 

Further questions

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions which can be accessed by clicking the following link FAQs. 

Reporting dog fouling

Please visit the following page if you wish to report an incident of dog fouling.

Contact

email: enforcementteam@doncaster.gov.uk 

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Last updated: 08 January 2024 08:41:27

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